Son of Africans enslaved in Sicily, he was born free because his parents had obtained freedom for their first child. A shepherd, then a hermit, he entered the Franciscans as a cook, could not read, and found himself elected superior of his friary. He then asked to go back to the kitchen.
In their own words
My children, pray God to make us humble.
His habitual phrase, reported by his earliest biographers (Pietro da Palermo, 1652, p. 21; Ermenegildo da Roma, 1748, p. 50)
Brothers, for charity's sake, do not throw these leftovers away; let us give them to the poor: this is the blood of those who gave them to us for the love of God.
Words reported by his Life (Giuseppe Carletti, Vita di S. Benedetto da S. Filadelfo detto il Moro, 1805, p. 26)
Set out some chairs for these holy women who are coming to visit me.
His words on his deathbed, reported by his Life (Giuseppe Carletti, Vita di S. Benedetto da S. Filadelfo detto il Moro, 1805, p. 69)